ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy rifle team used a strong effort in the air rifle portion of Saturday's action to defeat the University of the Sciences, 4619 to 3846 in a non-conference match. Shooting at the Bancroft Hall Rifle Range, the Mids concluded its match with a 2335-point performance in air rifle on their way to victory. Navy scored better than 2335 just once during its 2013-14 campaign.

Dan Jonas (So., Allentown, N.J.) led Navy on Saturday with an aggregate score of 1164. He posted the team's highest smallbore score with 580 points. In the air rifle portion of the event, Jonas finished tied for second with 584 points.

"Today was a definite improvement from last Saturday," said Navy head coach Bill Kelley. "We still have work to do, but today was a step in the right direction. Jonas' performance in smallbore was a very good sign. Alex Berry was solid in smallbore in her first match back and shot a strong 585 in air rifle after a very rocky start where she dropped eight points in the first two rounds. Her effort today and the leadership she provide us was a positive sign."

In smallbore, the Mids' four counters accumulated a 2284-point total. Following Jonas' top score, Alex Berry (Sr., Greensboro, N.C.) recorded 577 points in her first appearance since suffering an injury in the preseason. Zach Gibson (Jr., Montrose, Colo.) and Jodi Cull-Host (Jr., Los Alamos, N.M.) edged out Thomas Sarant (Fr., Massapequa, N.Y.) for the final counting position with scores of 564 and 563, respectively. In his first collegiate start, Sarant notched a 562 score.

Berry backed up her smallbore effort with a strong 585-point result in air rifle action to lead Navy. Gibson and Jonas tied for runner-up with identical scores of 584. The final counter for the Mids was Cull-Host, who registered a 582 result. Brandon Pippin (So., Nashville, Tenn.) was Navy's fifth starter and he nearly was a counter as he finished with a score of 580. As non-starters, Brandon Thompson (Sr., Shelbyville, Ky.) and Sheila Craine (Fr., King George, Va.) both had scores of 580 or more as Thompson notched a 584 and Craine a 580.

"We are still not performing to where we shoot in practice, but that's not unusual; I'd just like us to shoot closer to our abilities," said Kelley. "Again, there are definite positives from today. Gibson got off to a fabulous start in air rifle and struggled towards the middle, but he pulled it together in the end and showed a lot of mental toughness, that was something that we were lacking last weekend."

Navy will continue its home action this weekend with an 8 a.m. match with the University of Memphis on Sunday. The Mids and Tigers will shoot at Navy's Bancroft Hall Rifle Range.

"Tomorrow will be a real challenge," said Kelley. "They will come in looking for a win, as will we. The match is very winnable for either team. It'll come down to which team comes to the line and performs to its ability. We're ready."